Jeff Bezos, the founder of e-commerce giant Amazon and the world's wealthiest person, has but one constant in his life: Mackenzie Scott. She's not just his ex-wife, but also his longstanding business partner and, together with their children, a consistent figure in his life. Mackenzie Scott, formerly known as Mackenzie Tuttle, is not only Jeff Bezos' former spouse, but also the novelist behind 'Traffic and Sprinkles', a notable work in American literature.
Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott's relationship has been a significant part of the public eye, especially given Bezos' high-profile business achievements. They met in 1992 at Hedge Fund D.E. Shaw, where Mackenzie was an assistive skills editor. Bezos, then a vice president at the company, was immediately smitten, famously asking her out with the words, "The question I've been asked the most since I've been here is, 'Are you going to get married?' And the answer is, 'Yes, I am.'"
The Early Years
The couple married on May 4, 1993, in the company's Apollo 7(["Space, then Amazon: How Jeff Bezos lost love, but found himself"])(https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/19/jeff-bezos-and-macKenzie-scott-instagram-announce-divorce.html) - inspired office).
Their union was not only a loving partnership but also a professional one. Bezos-chief for D.E. Shaw, was inspired to start Amazon after noticed the internet was growing faster than any other technology he'd seen. The couple made the decision together to move to Seattle to start the online bookselling venture in 1994.
Amazon's Early Days
Mackenzie remained crucial to Amazon's early growth. She helped to grow the company's product selection from a few hundred titles to about 3 million, becoming a Senior Vice President at the company before leaving to pursue writing full-time.
In addition to her role at Amazon, Mackenzie began a journey into writing, publishing her first novel, 'Traffic and Sprinkles', in 2006. The novel received critical acclaim and exploded her literary career, giving a glimpse into her creative side unknown to many.
The Divorce and Beyond
After 25 years of marriage, Jeff and Mackenzie announced in January 2019 that they were divorcing in a joint statement on Bezos' Twitter account. Despite the separation, their relationship remains one of mutual respect and support.
The couple handled their divorce amicably, with Jeff granting half of his Amazon stake to Mackenzie, making her briefly the world's third-richest woman. They also made a pledge to get ten percent of their wealth to charitable causes, setting up a foundation together.
Life After Divorce
Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott remain on good terms, co-parenting their four children and contributing to various philanthropic causes together.
Mackenzie has since remarried, to Dan Jewett, a science teacher at the Lakeside School in Seattle, where the Bezos children attend school, further solidifying the intertwined nature of their lives.
MacKenzie Scott's Philanthropy
Post-divorce, Mackenzie Scott has taken on an active role in philanthropy, donating over $4 billion to various causes, ranging from racial and gender equity to LGBTQ+ and climate justice. She's also signed onto the Giving Pledge, promising to donate most of her wealth to charitable causes.
In a personal essay for Medium, she explained her approach to philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of supporting people directly affected by problems, rather than relying on "large bureaucracy".
Looking Ahead
Despite their different career paths, Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott have remained joined at the hip in philanthropy. Their commitment to giving back to society is a testament to their continued partnership, even after the dissolution of their marriage.
As they move forward, the divorce continues to illustrate their shared sense of purpose, commitment to each other's personal growth, and dedication to making the world a better place – elements that have framed their relationship since the beginning.